The LaGrange Grangers were a minor league baseball team based in LaGrange, Georgia. From 1913 to 1917, the Grangers and their predecessor, the LaGrange "Terrapins," played exclusively as members of the Class D level Georgia–Alabama League. LaGrange hosted home minor league games at the LaGrange Athletic Field.

The Grangers were succeeded in Georgia–Alabama League play decades later by the 1946 LaGrange Troupers.

History

In 1913, the LaGrange "Terrapins" began play as charter members of the six–team, Class D level Georgia–Alabama League. The Anniston Moulders, Gadsden Steel Makers, Newnan Cowetas, Opelika Opelicans and Talladega Indians teams joined LaGrange in beginning league play on May 5, 1913.^[1][2][3]

In their first season of play, the Terrapins placed fifth in the 1913 Georgia–Alabama League standings.^[4] LaGrange ended the season with a record of 42–48, as Ducky Holmes served as manager. The Terrapins finished 9.5 games behind the first place Gadsden Steel Makers in the final standings, as the league held no playoffs.^[5][6]

Continuing play in the 1914 Georgia–Alabama League, the Terrapins placed third in the final standings, as the league expanded to eight teams for one season.^[7][8] The Terrapins ended the 1914 season with a record of 55–43, to place third in the standings of the eight–team league. Jim Lafitte served as manager, as LaGrange finished 6.5 games behind the first place Selma River Rats in the final standings.^[9][6]

The 1915 LaGrange Terrapins finished last in the six–team Alabama–Georgia League. On July 14, 1915, LaGrange was in sixth place when the league folded.^[10] The Terrapins ended their shortened 1915 season with a record of 18–38, finishing 21.0 games behind the first place Newnan Cowetas, as Jim Lafitte returned as manager.^[11][12][6]

Despite folding during the season before, the Georgia–Alabama League reformed in 1916, with LaGrange continuing play as the LaGrange "Grangers."^[13][14]

The "Grangers" nickname corresponds to its use by LaGrange High School, established in 1903.^[15][16]

With Grady Bowen as manager, the Grangers placed third in the six-team league. LaGrange ended the season with a record of 39–29, finishing 5.5 games behind the first place Rome Romans in the final standings, as the league ended play on July 22, 1916.^[17][18] Rufus Nolly of LaGrange had a 12-2 pitching record, leading the league.^[6]

LaGrange and the Georgia–Alabama League continued play in 1917. The season was short lived, beginning play on May 3, 1917, and concluding on May 23, 1917, when the league folded.^[6][19] The Grangers were in last place with a 5–12 record when the league folded. Heisman Jones was the manager as LaGrange ended their 1917 season in sixth place, finishing 5.5 games behind the first place Anniston Moulders in the final standings.^[20][21][6]

The LaGrange Grangers were succeeded in minor league play by the 1920 and 1921 "LaGrange" team that played as members of the Class D level Georgia State League, winning the 1920 league championship.^[22][6] LaGrange next hosted minor league baseball when the 1946 LaGrange Troupers returned to play in the reformed Class D level Georgia–Alabama League, hosting home games at Callaway Stadium.^[23][24]

The ballpark

From 1913 to 1917, the LaGrange Terrapins and Grangers teams hosted minor league home games exclusively at the LaGrange Athletic Field. The ballpark was located at West Battle & West Haralson Street at North Greenwood Street & Gordon Street in LaGrange.^[25]

Timeline

Year–by–year records

^[6]

Notable alumni

• Ralph Head (1913–1915)
• Ducky Holmes (1913, MGR)

References

External links

• LaGrange - Baseball Reference